Residents Buying Home Scammed Out Of $88K In Westfield: Police

WESTFIELD, NJ — Residents, who were in the process of buying a home, reportedly were scammed out of $88,000 in Westfield.

On Nov. 7 at 11:28 a.m., residents of the 500 block of Carleton Road reported that they are in the process of purchasing a house and had got an email that appeared to be from their title company, according to the police blotter.

The email contained wiring instructions for the closing costs and the remainder of their down payment, totaling $88,043.19.

The victims sent this money to a Wells Fargo account and were then notified the transaction was fraudulent and went to a third-party account not connected to their legitimate transaction, said police.

Other Westfield Police Blotter items from Nov. 3 to 9:

On Nov. 5 at 8:51 a.m.: A resident in the 900 block of Central Avenue reports being a victim of fraud. The resident contacted an individual via a social media platform to obtain a dumpster. The resident and said individual agreed upon a price and once the dumpster was delivered the resident made payment via a financial "app". When the resident went to have the dumpster removed he was unable to make contact with the person identifying themselves as a representative for the dumpster company. The resident then contacted the number provided on the dumpster and learned that the company had never received his payment. It was learned that the resident was a victim of fraud as the person he was in communications with did not represent the dumpster company and had no authority to take money on their behalf. Hence, the resident was still required to make payment to the dumpster company. The resident has suffered a monetary loss of around $500.

On Nov. 5 at 9:47 p.m.: Marco Pincay, 18, Fanwood, was arrested following a motor vehicle stop on West South Avenue, near the intersection of West Broad Street, after being found in possession of a fraudulent New Jersey driver's license. Pincay was processed and subsequently released with an upcoming Union County Superior Court date.

On Nov. 6 at 2:31 p.m.: An employee from a business on 100 block of East Broad Street reported several payroll checks were issued to him from his employer. However, these checks had insufficient funds with the corresponding account. As such the employee has suffered a monetary loss.

On Nov. 6 at 4:20 p.m.: A resident of the 1200 block of Summit Avenue reported that two pieces of mail were opened before being received, and a $100 gift card was taken from each.

On Nov. 6 at 5:49 p.m.: During a motor vehicle stop in the area of South Elmer Street and East South Avenue, Santiago Clavijo-Zapata, 29, from Union, was arrested and subsequently released on his own recognizance for an active ATS warrant issued by the Elizabeth Municipal Court for $1,000.

On Nov. 6 at 6:16 p.m.: Saleema Alexander, 43, of Newark, was arrested for shoplifting around $190 worth of merchandise from a business in the 200 block of East North Avenue. She was subsequently processed and released on a complaint summons regarding these charges. Alexander had numerous active warrants for her arrest, including:

• NCIC no bail warrant issued by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office
• ACS warrant for $2,500 issued by the Middletown Township Municipal Court
• ACS warrant for $2,500 issued by the Clifton Municipal Court
• ACS warrant for $1,000 issued by the Warren Township Municipal Court
• ACS warrant for $250 issued by the West Caldwell Municipal Court

Alexander was turned over to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office on the strength of the above-stated NCIC warrant.

On Nov. 7 at 7:21 a.m.: A resident of the 100 block of Elizabeth Avenue reported being the victim of theft. At an unknown time, two political lawn signs were taken from their yard.

On Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.: A resident of the 900 block of Columbus Avenue reported that Halloween decorations on his property had been tampered with. The criminal mischief appears to have occurred during the overnight hours between Nov. 6 and 7. The monetary damage amount is unknown at this time.

On Nov. 8 at 10:24 p.m.: Melissa Hoffman, 33, of Cranford, was arrested for driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle accident in the 1000 block of North Avenue West. She was processed and released with a future mandatory Westfield Municipal Court date.

On Nov. 9 at 10:25 p.m.: Officer Pollock conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of North Avenue and Fourth Avenue for a "hit" on a random plate inquiry for active traffic warrants for the registered owner, Jennifer Coppola, 43, of Newark. It was revealed that Coppola had four active ATS warrants issued by Newark Municipal Court totaling the amount of $1,500. Coppola was released on her own recognizance (ROR) roadside and told to contact Newark Municipal Court regarding her court date.

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